End-gate rod



J. M. STEVENSON.

END GATE R01). APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1920,

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented June 28, 1921.

ATTORNEY jam WITNESS:

J. M. STEVENSON. END GATE B00. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1920- Patented J 11116 28, 1921.

2 SHEET8SHEEI 2.

Ja/zzz' M Sternqgg AITORNEY UNITED. STAEELS, OFFICE.

JOHN LI. STEVENSON, OF LIASON CITY, IOWA.

END-GATE ROD.

Application filed June 22,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. Jenn M. STEVENSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mason City, in the county of Cerro Gordo and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in EncLGate Rods, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for the end gates of wagons and the principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby the end gate may be easily and firmly locked in position without using the usual screw threaded rod and nuts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable device so that the same maybe used on wagons of different sizes or where the sides of the wagon have sprung.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. and in which Figure 1 is a view showing a portion of the wagon with my invent-ion applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the de vice itself.

Fig. 3 is a like view showing the device in open position.

Fig. 41: is a view of the slotted bar which carries the adjustable hook.

Fig. 5 is a View of the adjustable hook member.

Fig. 6 is a view of the operating lever.

As shown in these drawings the device consists of the flat bar 1, the hook member 2 which is adjustably secured thereto the second flat bar 3 whit h carries the hook 1 which is formed therewith and the operating lever The bar 1 has the offset end 6 adjacent one end near one edge of which is the rivet hole 7. The other end of the bar is provided with the roughened surface S and the slot 9. The hook member 2- is provided with the roughened surface 10 which engages the surface 8 and said memher is secured to the bar 1 by means of the bolt 11 which passes through a hole in Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnt d J 28 192 1920. v Serial No. 380,768.

said member and throughthe slot 9. Thus the hook member 2 is adiustably secured to the bar 1. The bar lis also provided with the slot 12 which is engaged by a. bolt or rivet 13 passing through a hole near the end of the bar 3 so that the two bars are pivotally and slidably connected at this point. An operating lever 15 is pivotally connected to the bar 1 by means of a rive t or bolt 15 carried by said lever engaging the opening 7 in said bar 1 and a. second rivet or bolt 16 carried by said member engaging an opening 17 which is located substantially midway the ends of the bar 3. As will be seen the parts are so arranged that as the lever is tilted to a position at right-angles to the two bars the said bars will be moved into an inclined position so that the distance between the hookedends will be shortened. I provide a combined hook and finger engaging part 18 on the free end of the lever, said hook engaging the edge of the bar 3 when the device is in closed position and thus preventing further movement of the parts.

The hooks are formed by twisting the ends as at 19 to place the hooks parallel with the flat sides of the bars and each hook is provided with a small nib 20 at its end for engaging the thimbles carried by the sides of the wagon and which receives the ends of the usual screw threaded'rod for holding the tail gate in place.

It will thus be seen that after the tailgate is placed in position between the sides of the wagon, as shown in Fig. 1, the nibs on the hooks are placed in engagement with the thimbles on the sides of the wagon and then the operating lever is tilted to move the hooks toward each other and thus clamp the end gate between the sides of the wagon. The operating lever is of curved formation as shown so as to remain in the position in which it is so Attention is called to the fact that the hole 7 is located adjacent one edge of the bar, while the opening 17 is located adjacent the opposite edge of the bar 3, these holes or openings receiving the rivets or bolts which connect the operating lever to the bars. By this arrangement of parts with the curve in the operating lever, provides the lock. When the device is adjusted to the wagon box the position of the parts will naturally draw the operating lever tighter as its pivotal points will be past center when the lever is in closed position.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement I of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claimis:

:1. End gate rods of the class described comprising flat bars, hook members being carried by said bars, an operating lever; an offset member provided on one of said bars adjacent one end thereof, and having a rivet hole formed near one edge of same and the remaining end of said bar having a roughened surface with a slot formed therein, one of said hook members being provided with a roughened surface which engages l the roughened surface provided on said bar and said hook being adjustably secured to one ofsaid bars a hook engaging part provided on the free endof said lever, said hook engaging the edge of one of said bars ened surface with a slot formed. therein,

one of said hook members being provided with a roughened surface which engages the roughened surface provided on said bar and said hook being adjustably secured on one ofrsaid bars, a hook engaging part provided on the free end of said lever, said hook engaging the edge of one of said bars when same is in a closed position to prevent move- 7 ment of parts, a nib being provided on each of said hooks for engaging the thimbles of the wagon, said operating lever having a curved formation to provide the locking means. V

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' JOHN M. STEVENSON. 

